Welcome to the Masakh'iSizwe Bursary Programme

Who can apply for a bursary?

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):

  • Must be a South African citizen

  • Students accepted at the relevant tertiary institutions, namely: Stellenbosch University, University of Cape Town and Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

  • Only applicable to youth studying OR intending to study full-time, within one of the aforementioned fields of study (Degree or Diploma studies) at a Higher Education Institution in the Western Cape.

  • Preference will be given, but not limited to: - Persons with disabilities, the financially disadvantaged, female learners and applicants from the Western Cape.

Which bursaries are offered through the Masakh’iSizwe Bursary Programme?

Masakh’iSizwe offers bursaries for full-time studies towards a degree or diploma in the engineering and built environment disciplines, these include amongst others :

  • Property Studies
  • City and Regional Planning
  • Quantity Surveying
  • Architecture

  • Construction

  • Civil Engineering
  • Geomatics

  • Electrical Engineering (Heavy current)

  • Mechanical Engineering
What does the bursary cover?

The bursary programme will cover the following expenses:

  1. Tuition Fees
  2. All prescribed books and materials
  3. Support Programmes
  4. Accommodation and meals (or transport costs)
Where can the bursaries be taken up?

The Masakh'iSizwe Bursary is only relevant for Higher Education Institutions in the Western Cape. The students can apply for the bursaries at the following institutions :

  1. Cape Peninsula University of Technology
  2. Stellenbosch University
  3. University of Cape Town
Announcements

  1. NOTICE: Applications for the 2026 academic year will open from 1 April and close on 31 August 2025. No late applications will be accepted.

  2. Please note if no feedback is received by 13 February 2026, kindly accept your application as unsuccessful.

Supporting Documents to accompany Application

  • Compulsory documents:

    Certified copy of your ID (Applicant).

    Certified copy of your parent(s)/guardian(s) ID. 

    Certified copy of your Matric certificate or latest results. 

    Certified copy of your academic record at the Higher Education Institution (HEI).

    Full course outline/prospectus.

    Estimation of study cost.

    Proof of registration/application at the Higher Education Institution (HEI).

    Salary slips of both parents/guardian/spouse or affidavit to support financial status.

    Proof of address (Home address).

    Letter of motivation.

  • Additional documents (if applicable):

    Proof of financial aid.

    Proof of existing debt.

    Medical proof of disability.

    Criminal record – SAPS Police Clearance.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO NOTE

  1. Please ensure that you have applied for acceptance at our partner Higher Education Institutions namely: Stellenbosch University, University of Cape Town and/or Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

  2. Separate applications must be submitted for different universities or more than one study discipline at the same university.

  3. Please visit our website for a list and explanation of the compulsory documents that will be required with the submission of your bursary application: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/service/masakhisizwe-bursary-programme

  4. All applicants not residing at home are to apply for on-campus student accommodation for 2026.

  5. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

  6. During your studies there will be weekends where a successful applicant is required to:

    i. Attend workshops, events and meetings;

    ii. Partake in outreach programmes;

    iii. Undertake academic experiential training.

  7. Please note that upon graduation bursars employed by the Department of Infrastructure will be required to undergo a Professional Development Training Programme to acquire professional registration.

  8. Application closing date: 31 August. 

  9. If your application is submitted via a company as a Bursary Collaboration Venture (BCV) Partner Application, it means the Department has a bursary collaboration venture agreement with the company not with the relevant student or applicant.

CONTACT DETAILS

For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact the Department of Infrastructure Masakh’iSizwe Office directly:

Tel: 0214830964   Tel 2: 0214839545  Email: DoIBursary@westerncape.gov.za
Address:23rd floor, 9 Lower Burg Street, The Box, Cape Town, 8001